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Summer is a time to relax, recharge, and have fun—but it’s also important to stay mindful of your health and well-being. Whether you’re traveling, attending a summer camp, or enjoying time at home, these simple wellness tips will help you and your family make the most of the sunny season while staying safe and balanced.

Hydration is Key

Tip: Aim to drink water regularly—before you feel thirsty!
Why It Matters: Staying hydrated helps regulate body temperature, supports energy levels, and keeps your mind sharp.
Bonus Tip: Infuse water with fruits like lemon, strawberries, or cucumber for a fun twist.

Sun Safety for All Ages

Tip: Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher—even on cloudy days.
Why It Matters: UV rays can cause sunburns and skin damage, especially during peak hours (10 AM – 4 PM).
Bonus Tip: Don’t forget sunglasses and hats to protect your eyes and face.

Move Your Body (But Don’t Overheat!)

Tip: Get outside early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
Why It Matters: Physical activity boosts mood and focus, but it’s important to avoid heat exhaustion.
Fun Idea: Try outdoor yoga, dance breaks, or family walks at sunset.

Healthy Snacking, Summer Style

Tip: Choose refreshing snacks like watermelon, yogurt, frozen grapes, or smoothies.
Why It Matters: Summer heat can impact appetite and energy levels, so light and nutritious snacks can help kids stay fueled and focused.
Try This: Let kids build their own “snack tray” with fruits, veggies, and a dip.

Mindful Moments in the Sun

Tip: Take short breaks throughout the day to pause and breathe deeply—especially outdoors.
Why It Matters: Summer break is a great time to build emotional wellness habits.
Quick Practice: Sit quietly for 3 minutes under a tree or in a shady spot. Focus on sounds, colors, and your breath.

At LVA, we care about the whole student—mind, body, and spirit. As you enjoy your summer break, we hope these tips help you stay safe, refreshed, and ready for the exciting year ahead. Share how you’re staying well this summer by tagging us on social media with #LVASummerWellness!

Happy National Mascot Day! Today, we’re celebrating the PRIDE, the ENERGY, and the unmatched school spirit brought to life by our very own mascot — JAX the Jaguar!

From the very beginning, LVA has always had a mascot, a symbol of strength and unity that represents who we are as a school community. But the journey to meeting JAX as we know him today was a special one. It all started with a community-wide contest to choose the animal that would represent our school. The winning pick? A fierce and powerful jaguar — a perfect match for our bold and passionate spirit.

Fast forward to recent years, and with a brand-new, upgraded mascot costume ready to go, we decided it was time to give our jaguar more than just a look — he needed a name. In true LVA fashion, we turned to our community to help name our new mascot. After an exciting round of submissions and final votes, we proudly reintroduced our jaguar as JAX during the Homecoming Pep Rally!

Since then, JAX has been the heart and soul of our school spirit, hyping up the crowd at every game, pep rally, and school celebration. His fearless attitude and wild enthusiasm make him a favorite among students, staff, and alumni alike.

And we can’t forget JAX Jr., affectionately known as Baby J, who brings joy and excitement to our youngest Jaguars in grades K-5 during special events. While the community mostly connects with the original JAX, Baby J has become a beloved mini-mascot for our littlest learners.

Today, we honor both JAX and Baby J — the dynamic duo that brings our school pride to life every day. Let’s give a huge round of applause for our mascots and everything they represent!

Did you know that just 20 minutes of reading a day during the summer can make a huge difference in your academic success? It’s true! Whether you’re diving into a fantasy world, solving a mystery, or learning about real-life heroes, reading helps you maintain—and even grow your skills in reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. That’s a major win!

So, what’s the big deal about this thing called the “Summer Slide”?
The Summer Slide isn’t a cool water ride—it’s what happens when we stop practicing important skills over the summer break. Without regular reading, students can lose months of academic progress. But there’s good news: reading is one of the best (and easiest!) ways to keep your brain in gear!

The best part? Reading doesn’t have to feel like homework.
Find a book you LOVE—something that makes you curious, excited, or inspired—and suddenly, it won’t feel like work at all. One great book can lead to another, and before you know it, you’ll be flipping pages like a pro.

For Students Entering Grades 6, 7, and 8:

Yes, summer reading is required—but we’ve made it fun and flexible!
Here’s what you need to know:

• You’ll read one book of your choice (from the provided list or one you get approved by a teacher).
• You’ll complete one piece of evidence showing what you learned (again, options provided, but creativity is welcome with approval!).
• The project is due the first week of the 2025–2026 school year and will be graded.

Think of this as your chance to start the new school year strong, impress your teachers, and maybe even discover a new favorite book or author along the way!

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So grab a book, find a cozy spot (or sunny beach chair), and let your imagination soar.
Happy summer reading—your brain will thank you!

The Curiosity Cube is back! Lehigh Valley Academy recently welcomed this exciting mobile science lab, developed by MilliporeSigma, for a two-day visit that brought the future of technology straight to our campus.

Housed in a 22×10-foot retrofitted shipping container, the Curiosity Cube® is a traveling laboratory offering hands-on experiments led by real scientists. The mission? To spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders through interactive learning—and it definitely delivered!

This year’s theme focused on artificial intelligence, and our 4th, 5th, and middle school students dove into experiments that helped them better understand how AI is being used in real-world scenarios.

2025 AI-Themed Experiments Included:

• Match Game / Think Like AI: Students explored how machine learning works by discovering how AI can recognize patterns and learn from data—just like the human brain!
• AI and Self-Driving Vehicles: Using Ozobots, students created custom paths for these tiny robots to safely travel to and from school, mimicking the decision-making process of self-driving cars.
• Guess Who?! Real or AI? In this fun and challenging experiment, students had to decide whether images were real or AI-generated—sparking discussions about digital literacy and the evolving role of AI in media and art.

A Look Back: The 2023 Visit

This isn’t the first time the Curiosity Cube visited LVA! Back in 2023, the mobile lab arrived with a focus on environmental contamination, offering students the chance to explore the impact of pollution and germs on our daily lives.

2023 Contamination-Themed Experiments Included:

• Exploring environmental contamination in everyday materials and surroundings.
• Using VR technology to identify contaminants on classroom surfaces and learn prevention methods.
• Testing beverages for contamination using real scientific instruments.

The 2023 visit helped students make meaningful connections between science and real-life issues—like food safety, sanitation, and environmental responsibility.

MilliporeSigma says one of the major goals of the Curiosity Cube is to close the hands-on science gap in Title 1 schools, where more than half of students often miss out on STEM opportunities. Another priority is helping fuel interest in science-based careers, as STEM jobs are projected to grow twice as fast as non-STEM jobs according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Who knew a 22×10-foot shipping container could be so fun?

Touring across North America, Europe, and now Africa, the Curiosity Cube brings STEM to life for over 60,000 students. Since its launch in 2017, it has reached more than 230,000 students across 14 countries. Feedback shows that 88% of students express a greater interest in science after participating.

We’re honored to be a part of this global experience once again and so proud of the enthusiasm and curiosity our students brought to each experiment.

Thank you to MilliporeSigma and the Curiosity Cube team for continuing to make science exciting and accessible!

For more information about the Curiosity Cube and its mission, visit thecuriositycube.com.

The Education Foundation of Lehigh Valley Academy proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Fundraising Evening—and what a night it was! Held at the iconic National Museum of Industrial History, the event welcomed over 60 guests for an evening filled with music, food, connection, and a shared commitment to advancing student success.

What is LVAEF?

The Lehigh Valley Academy Education Foundation (LVAEF or Foundation) supports the vision of LVA through philanthropic efforts. Our goal is to assist in creating opportunities to enhance students’ abilities, enabling them to emerge as life-long learners ready to embrace the challenges of a diverse global society.

Celebrating Community & Opportunity

From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and purpose. The crowd was treated to live music from Drugstore Cheaters, and dined on delicious fare catered by Willow Street Pub. The museum’s rich industrial setting provided the perfect backdrop for an evening designed to inspire generosity and celebrate impact.

Throughout the night, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a lively silent auction, exchange stories with fellow supporters, and learn more about the Foundation’s mission—to remove financial barriers and open doors for LVA students to pursue higher education.

Supporting Student Success

The funds raised during the event directly support students at Lehigh Valley Academy in earning up to 25 college credits through IB exams, helping them gain a head start on their academic journey and ensuring that access to opportunity isn’t dictated by financial limitations. This is about more than fundraising—this is about shaping futures.

With Gratitude to Our Sponsors

We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors, whose support made this event possible:

• Lehigh Valley Private Equity Fund
• Alvin H. Butz, Inc.
• BSI Corporate Benefits
• Print-O-Stat
• Arbor Insurance Group
• LifeSpan
• Metz Culinary Management
• Terraform Engineering, LLC

Your partnership fuels the work we do—and we couldn’t do it without you.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on this incredible evening, we’re already looking forward to next year. If you’re interested in becoming a partner or sponsor, please visit our website at lvaef.org or reach out to our Foundation team for more information.

Together, we’re creating lasting change—one student at a time.

This past March, our students at Lehigh Valley Academy RCS took center stage and cut loose in Footloose: The Musical!

Months of dedication, rehearsals, and passion culminated in a vibrant, high-energy performance that brought the house down!

With over 970 audience members attending across the weekend, it became our most attended musical ever.

From bold choreography to heartfelt ballads, the show was a true celebration of student talent and teamwork!

Senior Spotlights:

Before opening night, we took a moment to shine the spotlight on our incredible seniors, each of whom has poured their heart into this production:

• Aliya J. as Ariel Moore — Favorite Song: “Learning to Be Silent”
• Victoria A. as Wendy Jo — Favorite Song: “Still Rockin’”
• Oliver C. as Rev. Shaw Moore — Favorite Song: “I’m Free”
• Abrielle M. as Ethel McCormack, Dance Captain, and Waitress — Favorite Song: “Still Rockin’”
• Kai G. as Wes Warnicker — Favorite Song: “Mama Says”

We’re so proud of these seniors and all they’ve contributed—not just to this show, but to LVA’s theater legacy.

The Road to the FREDDY® Awards:

Following a show-stopping weekend, our students tuned in with excitement to watch the LIVE Freddy Nominations on 69 News—an LVA tradition filled with cheers, suspense, and theater family pride.

We were beyond proud to announce that Isabella Scheirer, LVA junior, was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Vi Moore. This marked her second consecutive Freddy nomination—a remarkable achievement!

Another huge congratulations goes to Mackenzie Pratt, recognized with a Student Achievement Award nomination for her outstanding leadership and organization as Stage Manager.

Spotlight on the Freddy Stage:

To top it off, four of our talented students—Jalian, Rolando, Isabella, and Abrielle—were selected to perform live at the 2025 Freddy Awards as part of the prestigious ensemble. It was truly magical to see them light up the stage once more, this time among the brightest stars in local high school theater.

From early rehearsals to the final bow and beyond, the entire Footloose cast, crew, and creative team have shown what passion, collaboration, and a love for the arts can create. We couldn’t be prouder.

Congratulations, LVA Footloose family! You’ve made magic, left your mark, and danced your way into our hearts.

About FREDDY Awards: On May 22, 2003, the State Theatre Center for the Arts made history by becoming the first performing arts center in the country to produce, along with broadcast partner 69-WFMZ-TV, a three-hour, live television show that recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in local high school musical theater.

As we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week and recognize the incredible contributions of our teachers, faculty, and staff, we are thrilled to spotlight an exceptional honor awarded to one of our very own.

Mr. Will Erwin, our passionate and dedicated 4th grade teacher, has recently been named the recipient of the Sister John Marie Award by DeSales University’s School of Education. This prestigious recognition is awarded annually to a graduate student who demonstrates a deep passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of the students they serve. According to DeSales, Mr. Erwin embodies “the energy and passion for working with his students that would make Sister John Marie so proud.”

Mr. Erwin was nominated for this award by one of his university supervisors, who noted the overwhelming evidence of his dedication to building deep connections with his students, fostering engaging and thoughtful lessons, and consistently reflecting on his practice to improve and grow as an educator.

Some of the highlights from his nomination included:

• His thoughtful, adaptable lesson planning and his commitment to collaboration with colleagues.
• A classroom environment built on mutual respect, where students are motivated and inspired to exceed expectations.
• A strong social-emotional approach to problem-solving, helping create a safe and inclusive space for all learners.

Perhaps most moving was the way Mr. Erwin supported his classroom when one student experienced the loss of a parent. With compassion and care, he ensured a soft landing for the grieving student and kept lines of communication open, reinforcing the sense of community within the class.

Mr. Erwin’s impact extends beyond the classroom. During his graduate studies, he served as a mentor teacher, met regularly with his mentees, and even directed the middle school musical—all while remaining a tireless, dedicated, and effective leader within the school.

We are incredibly proud of Mr. Erwin and grateful to have him as part of our LVA community. His compassion, commitment, and leadership not only make a lasting difference in his classroom but also uplift our entire school. This well-deserved recognition from DeSales University is a testament to the meaningful work happening here every day.

As we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week, we also want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to every teacher, faculty member, and staff member at LVA. Your dedication, care, and hard work are the foundation of our students’ success and growth. From the classrooms to the offices to every corner of our school, your impact is seen and felt—and deeply appreciated.

Congratulations again to Mr. Erwin, and thank you to all the incredible individuals who make LVA such a special place to learn and grow!

Happy Staff Appreciation Week!

On a day that will be remembered by many of our students for years to come, LVA had the absolute honor of welcoming Andrea Davis Pinkney—a New York Times bestselling author, Coretta Scott King Award winner, and true icon in the world of children’s literature.

Pinkney is renowned for her compelling stories that celebrate African-American culture and history, with a powerful body of work that includes picture books, novels, and nonfiction. Beyond writing, she has made a lasting mark as a publisher and editor, founding the groundbreaking Jump at the Sun imprint at Hyperion Books for Children. Her contributions to literature have earned her multiple NAACP Image Award nominations and an induction into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame.

During her visit, our elementary students were treated to an engaging and heartfelt presentation where Pinkney shared her writing journey, the inspirations behind her stories, and the importance of using literature as a tool for empowerment and education. Students were captivated by her energy, inspired by her wisdom, and left the assembly with bright smiles and big dreams.

But the excitement didn’t stop there!

Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students were given a very special experience—a private luncheon with Mrs. Davis Pinkney herself! During this intimate gathering, students chatted with the author about their favorite books, asked thoughtful questions about her career, and gained insights from a true literary legend. As a memorable finale to the event, each student received a signed copy of one of her books to treasure for years to come.

We are incredibly grateful to Andrea Davis Pinkney for taking the time to visit our school and share her brilliance with our young readers. Her stories, passion, and presence made a lasting impact on our students and staff, reminding us all of the power of literature to inspire, uplift, and connect.